U.S. patent application number 15/361863 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-16 for debris trap for a drain.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lawrence G. Meyers. Invention is credited to Lawrence G. Meyers.
Application Number | 20170073950 15/361863 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45695159 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170073950 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meyers; Lawrence G. |
March 16, 2017 |
Debris Trap for a Drain
Abstract
A debris trap for a floor drain includes a rim defining an outer
diameter, an inner diameter, and a radial center. A plurality of
prongs are integrally formed with the rim and spaced along at least
part of the inner diameter. At least some of the prongs are
arranged to extend over an inlet of a drain body and have a
proximal portion connected to the rim and extending radially inward
from the rim, and a free distal portion that is only upwardly
curved from the proximal portion toward the radial center of the
rim.
Inventors: |
Meyers; Lawrence G.;
(Layton, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Meyers; Lawrence G. |
Layton |
UT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
45695159 |
Appl. No.: |
15/361863 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14834626 |
Aug 25, 2015 |
9528252 |
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15361863 |
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12862689 |
Aug 24, 2010 |
9139989 |
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14834626 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/264 20130101;
E03F 5/06 20130101; B01D 35/28 20130101; Y10T 29/49815 20150115;
E03C 1/26 20130101; E03F 5/041 20130101; E03F 5/0408 20130101; B01D
35/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/264 20060101
E03C001/264; E03F 5/04 20060101 E03F005/04; B01D 35/28 20060101
B01D035/28; E03F 5/06 20060101 E03F005/06 |
Claims
1. A debris trap for a floor drain having drain body defining an
inlet, the debris trap comprising: a rim defining an outer
diameter, an inner diameter, and a radial center; and a plurality
of prongs integrally formed with the rim and spaced along at least
part of the inner diameter, at least some of the prongs arranged to
extend over the inlet of the drain body and having a proximal
portion connected to the rim and extending radially inward from the
rim, and a free distal portion that is only upwardly curved from
the proximal portion toward the radial center of the rim.
2. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein a width of the proximal
portion is greater than a width of the distal portion.
3. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein a distance between adjacent
ones of the prongs is greater toward the proximal portions than the
distal portions.
4. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein the distal portions of the
prongs include distal ends at least in part defining a center
opening.
5. The debris trap of claim 4, wherein the distal ends of the
prongs extend above the rim.
6. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein at least some of the prongs
are flexible and resilient.
7. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein at least some of the prongs
define a substantially flat top surface.
8. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein the prongs define spaces
therebetween.
9. The debris trap of claim 8, wherein each space defines a curved
proximal end and an open distal end.
10. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein a ring portion is integral
to the rim.
11. The debris trap of claim 10, wherein a top of the ring portion
defines a radial flange.
12. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein the rim and the prongs
comprise a single unitary piece.
13. The debris trap of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the prongs
defines a concave curvature.
14. A debris trap for use with a floor drain having a drain body
defining an inlet and a circular recess surrounding the inlet, the
debris trap comprising: a rim defining a radial center, an inner
diameter, and an outer diameter dimensioned and configured to fit
within the circular recess of the drain body; and a plurality of
prongs integrally formed with the rim and spaced along at least
part of the inner diameter of the rim, each prong arranged to
extend over and across at least a portion of the inlet of the drain
body and having a proximal portion connected to the rim and
extending radially inward from the rim, a free distal portion that
is upwardly curved from the proximal portion toward the radial
center, and a width that varies along a length of the prong.
15. The debris trap of claim 14, wherein the rim defines a ring
portion extending upwardly from an upper surface portion of the rim
at or near the outer diameter of the rim.
16. The debris trap of claim 15, wherein a top of the ring portion
defines a radial flange.
17. A floor drain system comprising: a floor drain having a drain
body defining an inlet and a circular recess surrounding the inlet;
and a debris trap positionable over the inlet of the drain body,
the debris trap having: a rim defining an outer diameter, an inner
diameter, and a radial center; and a plurality of prongs spaced
along at least part of the inner diameter and extending radially
inward toward the center, each prong arranged to extend over and
across at least a portion of the inlet and having a proximal
portion connected to the rim and extending radially inward from the
rim, and a free distal portion that is only upwardly curved from
the proximal portion toward the radial center.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the prongs are integral to the
rim.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the distal portions of the
prongs include distal ends at least in part defining a center
opening.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein the circular recess is arranged
to receive the debris trap.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of, and claims the
benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Patent application Ser. No.
14/834,626, filed Aug. 25, 2015, and entitled "DEBRIS TRAP FOR A
TRAIN," which is a continuation of U.S. Patent application Ser. No.
12/862,689, filed on Aug. 24, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,139,989,
and entitled "DEBRIS TRAP FOR A DRAIN," the disclosure of each
which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Field of the Invention
[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to drains, such as
for tiled showers and the like. More particularly, the present
disclosure relates to a removable debris trap for a drain.
[0004] Related Art
[0005] There are a variety of styles and types of floor drains for
showers and the like. Both round and square or rectangular drains
are available, and there are a variety of mechanisms for connecting
drain structures with associated drainage pipes. There are also a
variety of materials and finishes that have been used for drains
and drain grates. For many years, floor drains and grates have been
made of non-corrosive metals, such as brass and stainless steel.
More recently, because of their low cost and ease of use, polymer
materials have been used for drain structures and drain grates,
often in combination with metal structures. For example, drains
comprising a polymer drain body and a metal drain grate are quite
common. Drain grates comprising a polymer structure with a sheet
metal cladding are also available.
[0006] One challenge with floor drains and other drains is the
potential for clogs of hair and other debris. To prevent clogs of
hair and other debris, hair traps and debris traps have been
developed for drains. There are a variety of designs and
configurations for hair and debris traps. However, with many of
these, removal can be difficult and time-consuming, and cleaning
can be a difficult and disgusting task. Additionally, some hair
trap devices present an aesthetically undesirable appearance in or
near a drain.
SUMMARY
[0007] It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to
develop a debris trap for a drain that is effective at trapping
hair and the like.
[0008] It has also been recognized that it would be advantageous to
develop a debris trap for a drain that is easy to remove, clean,
and replace.
[0009] In accordance with one embodiment thereof, the present
invention provides a debris trap for a drain. The debris trap
includes an annular rim, defining a center, with a plurality of
radial prongs, extending from the rim toward the center, and
oriented to catch debris in the drainage pathway. The debris trap
is removably disposable within a drainage pathway of a drain body,
below a removable drain grate of the drain.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect thereof, the invention
provides a drain system, including a drain body and a debris trap.
The drain body includes a circular lower portion defining an
outlet, which is configured to mate with an underdrain structure,
and an upper portion defining an inlet, configured to receive a
drain grate in a frictional fit. The drain body also includes a
circular recess below the upper portion and concentric with the
outlet, having a diameter larger than an inner diameter of the
outlet. The debris trap is configured to be disposed in the
circular recess, and includes an annular rim defining a center, and
a plurality of radial prongs extending from the rim toward the
center, oriented to catch debris in the drainage pathway.
[0011] In accordance with yet another aspect thereof, the invention
provides a method for removing debris from a drain. The method
includes the steps of removing a drain grate from a drain body of
the drain, removing a debris trap from a resting position within a
drainage pathway of the drain body and below a level of the drain
grate, removing debris from the debris trap, replacing the debris
trap within the drain body, and replacing the grate. The debris
trap includes an annular rim defining a center and a plurality of
radial prongs extending from the rim to a free distal end a
distance from the center, and removing debris from the debris trap
comprises removing debris from the prongs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together
illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention, and
wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a floor
drain body with a drain grate in place;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drain grate of FIG. 1
with the grate removed, showing a central recess above the outlet
within the drain body;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view like that of FIG. 2, showing
one embodiment of a removable debris trap disposed in the recess
within the drain body;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a debris
trap in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of the debris trap of FIG. 4;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a top view of the debris trap of FIG. 4;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a close-up, perspective, partially sectional view
of the debris trap of FIG. 4;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
debris trap in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a side, cross-sectional view of the debris trap of
FIG. 8; and
[0022] FIG. 10 is a close-up, perspective, partially sectional view
of the debris trap of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments
illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used
herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive
features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the
principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would
occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of
this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the
invention.
[0024] Shown in FIG. 1 is a drain body or riser 10 with a grate 12
having drain openings 13. The drain body is shown with the grate
removed in FIG. 2. This drain body 10 is a one-piece unit, having a
generally rectangular upper portion 14 defining an inlet, and a
circular lower portion 16 defining an outlet and being configured
to mate with an underdrain structure. It is to be understood that,
while the drain body shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a rectangular
inlet, drain bodies having inlets of other shapes, such as
circular, can also be used. The lower portion of the drain body
includes external helical threads 18 for connection to the
underdrain, allowing the height of the drain inlet to be adjusted
by rotating the drain body. The drain body can be of an
injection-molded polymer, such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene
Styrene) plastic, allowing it to be strong and lightweight.
[0025] The inlet portion 14 of the drain body 10 includes a
shoulder 20 on its inner perimeter, for supporting the drain grate
12. Surrounding the shoulder is a grout rim 22 that is integral
with the drain body. The grate 12 is supported only around it's
perimeter by a narrow shelf (i.e. shoulder 20) in the drain body
10. Just inside and below that shelf is a near-vertical surface 21
that extends down to the floor of the bowl 30. Against this surface
an inner perimeter rib or wall of the grate frame can make a light
friction fit. The inner surface of the grout rim includes 90 degree
filleted comers 26. This configuration helps reduce binding of the
grate and allows for a wide selection of grate opening
configurations. The drain body can also include a step or recess 28
in the bowl floor 30, which can allow for the inclusion of a debris
trap device 50 (shown in FIG. 3).
[0026] By design, the bowl 30 of the drain body lOis relatively
deep (compared to the size of the grate openings 13). This helps
create a shadow and a blacked-out effect that is very desirable,
especially where the drain body is black or some other dark color.
When viewed from the top through the openings 13 in the grate 12,
the visibility of any build-up of soap scum, scale and hair will be
substantially reduced. The grate looks clean and beautiful and is
not detracted by a view of scum build up just below the
surface.
[0027] The grout rim 22 provides a sharp termination at the top
edge of the drain body 10, and becomes substantially hidden to the
eye when embedded into an adjacent grout line. When a drain grate
12 is inserted into the inlet portion 14 and supported by the
shoulder 20, friction between the vertical surface 21 and a
perimeter rib (not shown) of the drain grate's frame holds the
grate in place. A small clearance can be maintained between the
grate 12 and the grout rim 22 to allow for drainage immediately
around the slightly elevated grate.
[0028] Around the outer sides 34 of the inlet portion 14 of this
embodiment of the drain body 10 are undercut grout locking features
that help anchor the drain body with surrounding mortar and grout
material. The undercut grout locking features can include a
horizontal undercut edge 42, and tapered or dovetail surfaces
associated with vertical buttresses 36, to cause the buttresses to
interlock with surrounding grout, allowing the grout to capture the
drain body and hold it in position in a dovetail arrangement. The
buttresses have a dovetail shape that becomes wider as the buttress
extends away from the sidewall 34 of the drain body. This provides
dovetail surfaces that are angled toward the drain body, so that a
mechanical interlock is created with grout material that surrounds
the drain body. Since the dovetail surfaces of the buttresses are
angled with respect to a vertical plane, and the angled undercut
surface of the undercut edge 42 is angled with respect to a
horizontal plane, the undercut edge and the ovetail buttresses
combine to anchor the drain body with respect to both vertical and
horizontal movement.
[0029] The outer sides 34 of the drain body can also include
vertical darts 48 below or along the horizontal undercut 42 to
improve plastic flow to thin wall sections during the molding
process, as well as to add rigidity. Given their angular faces, the
darts also help provide additional anchorage of the drain body in
the surrounding grout material, while their small size in relation
to the buttresses does not weaken the anchoring grout material
between the buttresses.
[0030] Since it is installed using only a light friction fit and no
screws or other fasteners, the drain grate 12 can be easily
removed, such as by using a T-handle grate removal tool (not
shown), or other suitable tool. During installation of the drain
body and construction of the surrounding floor structure, a solid
flat plug can be installed in the drain body in place of the grate
to prevent construction debris from falling into the drain, prevent
damage to the grate, and to stabilize the knife edge rim 22 of the
drain body and help maintain the shape of the inlet.
[0031] As noted above, hair clogs are a constant challenge with
drains. There are a variety of types of hair and debris traps that
have been used with floor drains and other drains. Unfortunately,
many of these are difficult to retrieve and remove from a drain or
pipe, and can present a smelly and disgusting task to remove hair
and debris tangled around steel tines, etc.
[0032] Advantageously, the inventor has developed a debris trap for
a drain, various embodiments of which are shown in the figures.
While the debris trap disclosed herein is shown in the context of a
floor drain, it is to be understood that it can be used with a
variety of types of drains, in addition to floor drains. As shown
in FIG. 3 one embodiment of a circular debris trap device 50 can be
placed in a shallow, circular recess 28 in the floor 30 of the bowl
of the drain body 10. Viewing FIGS. 3-7, this debris trap
embodiment 50 is a unitary piece of injection-molded plastic, and
includes an annular outer ring or rim 52, with a series of integral
radial spokes or prongs 54 that extend toward the center of the
ring, but leave a clear opening 56 in the middle. The circular rim
52 can include a raised protuberance 57, disposed along an exterior
edge of the rim. This protuberance helps ensure that the debris
trap is placed in the drain right-side-up (i.e. with the curvature
of the prongs 54 oriented upward). If the debris trap were to be
placed into the recess 28 in the drain body upside down, the
protuberance 57 would cause it to not lie flat and secure, thus
signaling to a user to change the orientation.
[0033] The debris trap 50 with prongs 54 helps catch hair and other
debris that drops through the drain grate 12, without significantly
obstructing the flow of water through the drain body 10. Since hair
and heavier debris will tend to drop through the outer openings of
the drain grate 12, it will tend to be washed nearer the perimeter
of the bowl of the drain body, and be caught by the prongs 54 of
the debris trap 50. On the other hand, water that flows and drops
straight through the center of the grate, and thus the center
opening 56 of the debris trap, is believed to be less likely to
include hair and other debris.
[0034] As noted above, in the drain embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, the drain grate 12 is designed to be removable just by pulling
it out of the drain body 10, allmving a user periodically to lift
the debris trap out of the drain body, remove the hair and clean
the debris trap, then replace the debris trap and the grate. It is
to be understood, however, that the debris trap disclosed herein
can be used with drains having a different configuration than that
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Cleaning the debris trap is simple and
straightforward. Hair and debris can be slid toward the open center
56, where it slides off the prongs 54. This allows easy,
unrestricted removal of debris from this debris trap.
[0035] The prongs 54 are resilient and springy, and curved upward.
Each prong has an upwardly curved free end 58 near the center,
indicated at 60. The number, spacing, and thickness of the prongs
54 can vary. In one embodiment, a debris trap having a diameter of
3'' has been produced with 36 prongs spaced every 1 0 degrees, each
prong being about 0.05'' wide at the distal tip 58, and about 0.1''
wide at the base (the junction with the rim 52). Different numbers
and sizes of prongs can be used. The size of the center opening 56
can vary also. To provide good drainage, it is desirable that the
center opening be larger than about 0.5'' in diameter. In one
embodiment, this opening is about 0.8'' in diameter. With a 3''
diameter debris trap and a 0.8'' diameter center opening, each
prong will be less than about 1'' long, measured in the plan view.
The upward curvature of the prongs can have a radius of about
0.4''. It is to be appreciated that different curvature designs can
be used, and the prongs can also be straight, with no
curvature.
[0036] The cross-sectional shape of the prongs 54 can also vary.
FIG. 7 provides a partial sectional view of the debris trap 50
taken through some of the prongs 54, showing one embodiment of a
cross-sectional shape that can be used. In this embodiment, the
prongs have a substantially flat top surface 62, which encourages
hair strands to bridge between tines rather than to pass through or
between them, and a rounded or curved bottom surface 64, which is
believed to help to accelerate water flow.
[0037] Another embodiment of a debris trap in accordance with the
present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 8-10. In this embodiment, the
debris trap 100 comprises a cylindrical ring 102, having a
plurality of radial tines or prongs 104 extending toward its
center, indicated at 106. The prongs 104 are flexible and
resilient, and curve upward toward their free ends 108 near the
center. These prongs are substantially like the prongs 54 described
above, and include a flat top surface 110, a rounded bottom surface
112, and an upwardly curved distal end 108.
[0038] In this embodiment, the perimeter ring 102 of the debris
trap 100 has a significantly greater vertical dimension H, and is
configured to slide or snap into a corresponding cylindrical recess
in a drain body (not shown). Alternatively, the debris trap 100 can
be configured to fit into an opening of a circular conduit. The
ring 102 provides an upwardly oriented, cylindrical flange, which
press-fits into a circular recess within the drain body. This makes
the debris trap more secure and stable in its installed position.
The ring 102 includes a top flange 114 that helps hold the debris
trap in place, and gives the debris trap a minimum diameter that is
larger than the diameter of the drainage opening or conduit beyond,
thus ensuring that it cannot be lost down the drain.
[0039] In the embodiment of FIGS. 3-7, the size, shape and
placement of the debris trap 50 ensure that it cannot be lost down
the drain and contribute to its aesthetic appeal. The debris trap
sits within the circular recess 28 above the outlet of the drain
body 10. It has been found that gravity alone is sufficient to keep
this embodiment of the debris trap securely in place. The diameter
of the debris trap 50 is larger than the diameter of the interior
of the outlet 16 of the drain body 10, thus preventing the debris
trap from being washed down the drain in any orientation. Also,
because the debris trap 50 is designed to fit into a recessed
pocket 28 within the drain body and below the drain grate 12, it is
substantially out of sight, thus contributing to the aesthetics of
the drain installation.
[0040] This disclosure thus provides a simple debris trap device
that is effective at trapping hair and debris in a drain, and is
easy to retrieve and remove from the drain. Cleaning of the debris
trap is also simple and easy. This debris trap can be injection
molded as a single unitary piece, making it very economical.
Indeed, the simplicity and low cost makes disposability of this
type of debris trap an option. That is, rather than removing,
cleaning and replacing the device periodically, a user can remove
and discard the debris trap device and replace it with a new one
whenever desired.
[0041] It is to be understood that the above-referenced
arrangements are illustrative of the application of the principles
of the present invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without
departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set
forth in the claims.
* * * * *